Within the bare bones of wild earth,
We are able to gain a deeper understanding of our own life.
To witness with our very eyes the processes of life and death.
To discern the duality of benevolence and ruthlessness.
To learn how to transition from darkness to light with ease.
To embrace change and breathe with it.
Inspiring us to take risks and dare to take our feet off the ground,
Spread our wings and soar.
To realize that we are all connected.
A peaceful coexistence.
Now close your eyes.
Take a slow inhale.
Feel the coolness as it flows through the nostrils.
And then slowly breathe it out.
Relax the jaw.
Let the lips slightly part.
Allowing the breath to continue to flow.
Slowly and deeply.
Visualize a soft golden light begin to wrap around your body.
Feeling warm and relaxed.
Now come with me to the forest.
You walk slowly to the edge of the grassland where the forest begins.
The sun warms your back as you feel the presence of the trees calling you deep into their domain.
You see the blossoming wood,
Sorrel,
Moss,
Ferns and fungus among the life emerging on the forest floor.
Below the towering giants that are the guardians of this realm.
The sweet essence of pine permeates your senses.
And as you continue to walk.
Around the bend an ever-growing honeysuckle fragrance gets carried by the mild breeze.
Feeling it brush up against your cheeks.
Within your awareness you can sense small animals nearby romping and playing.
It brings a smile on your face.
All around you,
You can hear birds calling to one another.
Their sounds are harmonious and loving.
It is as if they are encouraging you to take a few more steps.
And so you do.
The atmosphere of the pine forest welcomes you home as one among all others who dwell here.
You feel cradled in the softness of this place.
You are filled with awe and wonder which invokes the sweetness of your inner innocence yet you feel a primal wildness awaken.
It invokes the desire for elemental freedom and feeling the fullness of being alive.
You feel the earth touching your bare feet as you root around for where the darkness and shadows reveal the sources of life itself.
You become more aware and in love with the delicate balance of life and death suddenly you know something more of your own strength and vulnerability.
As you walk on,
You begin to hear the sound of running water.
You can tell that the water is tranquil and you walk in the direction of the sound.
As you walk,
You can feel the leaves underneath your feet and between your toes.
You walk over fallen branches and strong roots.
You feel grounded and deeply connected to her.
It feels so good to have your feet touching Mother Earth.
You let the tender voice of the water call on you.
Along the journey,
You arrive to an opening in the dense canopy of the forest.
Below it,
You come to a pool of water that is being fed from a stream cascading down a small rocky slope.
You notice as the pool is filled to overflowing,
The water leaves the pool on the other side and continues its journey back into the forest.
There are rocks around it for you to sit on.
The rocks are warm from the sun as its rays make their way down from the opening in the treetops.
You walk to the largest of the rocks and take a seat on it.
It is as if the rock was made just for you.
It holds you so sweetly in its beautiful energy.
You sit here for a few minutes in silence,
Fully present,
Listening to the sounds of the forest and the water all around you.
Your eyes are closed and your heart is full of joy and gratitude.
Bring your awareness to your breath.
Breathing in the fresh air and all the fragrances that come from the forest.
You suddenly hear a sound that seems very close.
You're curious so you open your eyes to see a beautiful deer standing right there in front of you.
Her kind brown eyes are gazing right at you.
She is completely at ease and so are you.
You sit mesmerized by this radiant creature just looking at you so lovingly.
You feel the oneness that has always been there.
The unconditional love emanating from her expands your heart and connects you to the flow of the universe.
She closes her eyes then opens them one more time to take one last look at you.
Then turns around and slowly walks back into the forest.
As you watch her leave,
You close your eyes again and return to your breath.
Breathing as you continue to sit here basking in serenity.
You feel the wind blowing across your body with whispers of ancient wisdom.
You breathe with it.
You feel it.
You hear it.
The wind has brought a message for you.
Across time and space,
The wind is sending you that message.
Somehow you become aware of the message and are ready to receive it from her.
Open your heart now and receive her message.
Your heart is filled and overflowing with the love you are feeling in her message.
You sit for a moment longer,
Breathing deeply and simply integrating into your being the message she brought you.
You are feeling so connected to the forest and all of her wisdom.
You rise from your spot on the rock,
Move gently back onto the path and walk slowly and calmly back to the edge of the forest where you first stepped upon the path.
With each step you take,
You find yourself coming back to your body and bringing your awareness to the present moment.
Your message from the forest has been integrated into your being and you will take what the forest has revealed to you into your daily life.
Lay here breathing for a few minutes longer and whenever you are ready,
Open your eyes and give thanks for the forest,
For the connection and the message that has come with it.
